Santorum woos the US Right in battle with Republican rival

White House contender Rick Santorum today accused Barack Obama of advocating a "world view" different from that of most Americans.

In a bid to further impress the US Right, Mr Santorum claimed that the President promoted the ideas of "radical environmentalists" and encouraged more abortions by requiring insurers to pay for pre-natal tests.

It is the latest move by Mr Santorum's camp to move him further to the Right in a bid to capture voters disenchanted by fellow Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who is seen as too liberal by many. Mr Santorum, a staunch opponent of abortion and gay rights, has surged past Mr Romney in recent opinion polls of Republican voters after winning contests in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri.

Several polls even have Mr Santorum leading in Mr Romney's native state of Michigan and voters go to the polls on February 28. But although Mr Santorum is enjoying a spike in popularity, analysts predict Mr Romney's spending power is likely to prove vital and he is the most likely to take on Mr Obama in November's general election.